Supplication requires the following:
1- Praising the Almighty God
2- Confessing to one’s sins and being penitent for them, which is just like repentance or the consequence of it.
3- Sending Salawats (peace and blessings) upon Prophet Mohammad and his descendants, who are the intermediaries of Divine...

It appears that the reason behind our having fallen behind is in our neglecting Mustahabbaat! Scholars of the past were committed to Mustahabbaat, such as Ziarah, Du’a, recitation of the Qur'an, offering prayers on time, and avoiding the Makruhaat, such as sleeping before sunrise.
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This is a great supplication and we have been ordered to recite it during the period of occultation: “Yā Allah, Yā Rahmān, Yā Rahīm, Yā Muqallib al-Qulūb, Thabbit Qalbī ‘alā dīnik.” (O God, O Beneficent, O Merciful, O turner of Hearts, make my heart steadfast in your religion!)
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If you want to reach somewhere [i.e. higher stations] through supplications, then you must be saying this: "We surrender to God, let Him do whatever He intends to, we intend to act according to the responsibilities of servitude."
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